LEONARDTOWN, MD (November 13, 2014) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department is seeking proposals from community organizations to provide Youth Access Law training for local merchants. Maryland law prohibits the sale of tobacco products, including tobacco paraphernalia and electronic nicotine devices (e-cigarettes), to anyone under the age of 18. Tobacco retailers play a significant role in keeping tobacco products away from youth and limiting the negative health effects on them. Education on the law, in addition to proper product placement within stores, is vital to assist in this effort. Two community organizations will be awarded up to $3,000 each to provide Youth Access Law training and education to merchants in St. Mary’s County between January 1 and June 30, 2015. Each organization will provide training to local merchants on the Youth Access Law, identification checks and product placement, and will stress the importance of effective training and support for staff. Interested organizations must submit a proposal package, including a cover letter affirming commitment to participate, proposal, and budget narrative. The deadline for receipt of proposals is December 5, 2014. For more information about the request for proposals for Youth Access Law Educators, please visit the health department’s website at www.smchd.org/rfp.